Connector for bathtub tailpipe to drain pipe

ABSTRACT

A seal for a connector is provided for connecting a bathtub tailpipe to a drain pipe. The connector has an inlet end to receive the tailpipe and an outlet end that is mountable to the drain pipe, and has a passage extending therebetween. A seal extends about the passage for slidably engaging the tailpipe in a fluid sealing manner.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/833,791 filed on Mar. 15, 2013. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to bathtub drain pipe connectors and more particularly to connectors for sealingly connecting tailpipes of free standing bathtubs to drain pipes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The drainage system for an island bathtub is supplied beneath the bath in the floor. Generally, no lateral access is provided necessitating connection of the bathtub to the drain pipe either from above or below the floor. In an existing building, connection from above the floor requires destruction of the existing floor. Destruction creates new challenges including refinishing the floor around a bathtub and providing proper support for the bathtub.

In the construction process for a new building, access from below the floor requires the bathtub be installed prior to finishing the ceiling of the room beneath the bath. This early installation of the bath subjects the bathtub to damage for the duration of the construction process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a connector for sealingly connecting a bathtub tailpipe to a drain pipe. The connector comprises a seal and a body wherein the body has an inlet end opposite an outlet end with a passage extending therebetween. The outlet end is mountable to one end of the drain pipe, and the inlet end receives the tailpipe. The seal extends about the passage for slidably engaging the tailpipe in a fluid sealing manner.

The connector may further comprise a first part extendably retained to a second part wherein the first part and second part are relatively axially moveable. The first part defines the inlet end and receives the tailpipe, and the second part defines the outlet end, and is mountable to one end of the drain pipe.

The seal extending about the passage may have a generally annular body and comprise a first end opposite a flanged end. The first end and the annular body are insertable into one of the two parts of the connector, and the flanged end interfaces with both the first part and the second part.

The first part of the connector may have an interior flange for receiving the first end of the seal. The first part of the connector may have an end opposite the interior flange that engages the flanged end of the seal. The first part of the connector and the second part of the connector may threadedly engage. The second part of the connector may have an inner flange that registers with the flanged end of the seal. The flanged end on the seal may be compressed between the end of the first part and the inner flange of the second part in response to the first part and the second part being urged towards each other through the threaded engagement.

The connector may further comprise a spacer having an external flange for engaging a floor and an internal flange for engaging the first part of the connector to limit lateral movement of the connector.

The external flange may be integral with the first part of the connector.

The connector may further comprise an adapter extending between the outlet end of the passage and the drain pipe to adapt the connector to fit over the drain pipe.

A seal is also provided for sealing against a bathtub tailpipe wherein the seal forms part of a connector having a first part and a second part for connecting the bathtub tailpipe to a drain pipe. The seal comprises an annular body having a first end opposite a flanged end with a passage extending therebetween. The interior of the annular body has at least one radially inwardly projecting rib for sealingly engaging the tailpipe. The first end and the annular body are insertable into one of the two parts of the connector. The flanged end of the seal interfaces with the first part and the second part of the connector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying illustrations in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector for connecting a bathtub tailpipe to a drain pipe;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of the connector in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the connector preparing to receive a bathtub tailpipe;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the encircled area in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of a seal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A connector 10 sealingly connects a bathtub tailpipe 40 to a drain pipe 42 as indicated in the accompanying illustrations. The connector 10 has a body 12 having an inlet end 14 opposite an outlet end 16 with a passage 18 extending therebetween. The inlet end 14 receives the bathtub tailpipe 40, the outlet end 16 is mountable to the drain pipe 42. In this way, the connector 10 connects the bathtub tailpipe 40 to the drain pipe 42. The passage 18 permits fluid such as bathwater to flow from the bathtub tailpipe 40 to the drain pipe 42. To sealingly connect the bathtub tailpipe 40 to the drain pipe 42, a seal 50 extends about the passage 18 that slidably engages the tailpipe 40 in a fluid sealing manner. The seal 50 inhibits the fluid such as bathwater from flowing out of the passage 18 and into the periphery.

The connector 10 further comprises a first part 20 defining the inlet end 14, and a second part 30 defining the outlet end 16. The first part 20 and the second part 30 are extendably retained to each other and are relatively axially moveable. In one embodiment, the first part 20 and the second part 30 may threadedly engage. The seal 50 extending about the passage 18 has a generally annular body 52 having a first end 54 and a flanged end 56. The first end 54 and the annular body 52 are insertable into one of the two parts of the connector 10. A portion of the flanged end 56 extends between the first part 20 and second part 30. The first part 20 and the second part 30 are urged toward each other, and the flanged end 56 interfaces with (sandwiched between) both the first part 20 and the second part 30. This causes compression of the seal 50 between the first part 20 and the second part 30 to effect the sealing therebetween.

In one embodiment, the first end 54 and the annular body 52 of the seal are insertable into the first part 20 of the connector. The first part 20 has an interior flange 22 for receiving the first end 54 of the seal. The first part has an end 24 opposite the interior flange 22 that engages the flanged end 56 of the seal preventing it from inserting into the first part 20. The second part 30 has an inner flange 32 that registers with the flanged end 56. Because the first part 20 and the second part 30 are urged toward each other when threadedly engaged, the flanged end 56 of the seal is compressed between the first part 20 and the second part 30, that is, between the end 24 and the inner flange 32. This compression of the seal 50 between the first part 20 and the second part 30 effects the sealing feature of the connector 10.

In an alternative embodiment, the first end 54 and the annular body 52 may be insertable into the second part 30 rather than the first part 20. The flanged end 56 would still be compressed between the first part 20 and the second part 30 effecting the sealing function.

The connector 10 further comprises a spacer 33 having an external flange 34 for engaging a floor 38 and an internal flange 36 for engaging the first part of the connector 20 to limit lateral movement of the connector 10. In one embodiment, this external flange 34 and internal flange 36 may form part of an annular plate as shown in FIG. 2. This annular plate may be externally round, square, or any other suitable shape. The external flange 34 of the spacer 33 engages the floor 38 to limit lateral movement, whereas the internal flange 36 is held in place between the first part 20 and the second part 30. By being held in place and having the external flange 34 engage the floor, the internal flange 36 limits the lateral movement of the connector 10. The external flange 34 may be fixed to the floor which may be wood. FIGS. 1 and 2 shows the external flange 34 with apertures 35 for receiving fasteners such as screws. In other embodiments, the external flange 34 may be secured using glue or other adhesive agents. Alternatively, the external flange 34 could be secured by fitting into pre-cut recesses in the floor. Fixing the external flange 34 to the floor 38 provides a secured connector 10 to which the remaining plumbing can be attached. The depth of the spacer 33 is determined by the height of the first part 20. The spacer 33 must be deep enough to ensure the first part 20 does not protrude above the floor 38 in order to provide clearance for the bathtub drain fitting underlying and fixed to the bath that is placed upon the floor 38.

The external flange 34 may alternatively be integral with the first part 20 obviating the need for an internal flange. In this embodiment, the external flange 34 would be located on the first part 20 such that sufficient clearance is provided for the bathtub when placed on the floor 38.

The connector 10 may further comprise an adapter 44 extending between the outlet end 16 of the passage 18 and the drain pipe 42 to adapt the connector 10 to fit over the drain pipe 42. In one embodiment, this adapter 44 may increase the external diameter of the drain pipe 42 so that the drain pipe 42 and the connector 10 fit more closely together. Alternatively, this adapter 44 may decrease the internal diameter of the outlet end 16 to enable a more snug fit between the connector 10 and the drain pipe 42. In other embodiments, the adapter 44 may otherwise increase or decrease the external or internal diameters of the drain pipe 42 or outlet end 18 to enable a close fit. Adhesive agents may be placed between the various elements to secure them in place.

Alternatively, an adapter 44 may be unnecessary and the drain pipe 42 could fit directly within the second part 30. In these cases, the drain pipe 42 may register directly with part of the seal 50 or may instead register with the inner flange 32 of the second part 30. In still other embodiments, the drain pipe 42 may have a larger diameter than the outlet end 16 of the connector 10. In these cases, the outer circumference of the second part 30 may be modified to accommodate the attachment of a larger diameter drain pipe 42.

As mentioned above, the seal 50 has an annular body 52 having a first upper end 54 opposite a flanged lower end 56. The interior of the annular body 52 has at least one radially inwardly projecting rib 58 for sealingly engaging the tailpipe. Additional ribs such as the second rib 60, third rib 62, and fourth rib 64 may also be provided. As can be seen best in FIG. 5, at least two of the ribs extend into the interior of annular body 52 by a different amount. For example, rib 58 defines a wider opening for receiving the tailpipe 40 than rib 60. Similarly, rib 60 defines a wider opening than rib 62. In other words, ribs 58, 60 and 62 progressively extend an increasing distance into the interior of the annular body 52. On the other hand, the bottommost rib 64 extends a lesser distance into the interior of annular body 52 than its immediately adjacent rib 62. This arrangement is designed to readily accept the tailpipe 40 at the upper end of the seal yet provide a reliable seal.

The scope of the claims should not be limited by the embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

PARTS LIST 10 connector 12 body 14 inlet end 16 outlet end 18 passage 20 first part 22 interior flange 24 end 30 second part 32 inner flange 33 spacer 34 external flange 35 apertures 36 internal flange 38 floor 40 bathtub tailpipe 42 drain pipe 44 adapter 50 seal 52 annular body 54 first end 56 flanged end 58 radially projecting inward rib 60 second rib 62 third rib 64 fourth rib 

What is claimed is:
 1. A seal for sealing against a bathtub tailpipe wherein the seal forms part of a connector having a first part and a second part for connecting the bathtub tailpipe to a drain pipe, the seal comprising: an annular elastomeric body having a first end opposite a flanged end with a passage extending therebetween wherein: the interior of the annular body has at least two radially inwardly projecting ribs for sealingly engaging the tailpipe in an adjustable manner; the first end and the annular body are insertable into one of the two parts of the connector; and the flanged end is configured to interface with both the first part and second part of the connector.
 2. The seal for sealing against a bathtub tailpipe of claim 1 wherein the at least two radially inwardly projecting ribs extend radially inwardly by different distances.
 3. The seal for sealing against a bathtub tailpipe of claim 1 wherein: the at least two radially inwardly projecting ribs comprising an upper radially inwardly extending rib and a lower radially inwardly extending rib, said upper rib defining a larger opening in the annular body than the lower rib.
 4. The seal for sealing against a bathtub tailpipe of claim 1 wherein: the at least two radially inwardly projecting ribs comprising at least three radially inwardly extending ribs that progressively extend an increasing distance into the interior of the annular body.
 5. The seal for sealing against a bathtub tailpipe of claim 1 wherein: the flanged end is interfaced by being configured to be sandwiched between a portion of the first part and a radially inwardly extending flange of the second part.
 6. A seal for sealing against a bathtub tailpipe, the seal comprising: an elastomeric annular body having an interior passage extending from a top end to a bottom end; the bottom end having a radially outwardly extending flange configured to be sandwiched between two parts of a connector for connecting the bathtub tailpipe to a drain pipe; and the interior of the annular body has at least two radially inwardly projecting rib for sealingly engaging the tailpipe in an adjustable manner.
 7. The seal for sealing against a bathtub tailpipe of claim 6 wherein the at least two radially inwardly projecting ribs extend radially inwardly by different distances.
 8. The seal for sealing against a bathtub tailpipe of claim 6 further comprising an upper radially inwardly extending rib and a lower radially inwardly extending rib, said upper rib defining a larger opening in the annular body than the lower rib.
 9. The seal for sealing against a bathtub tailpipe of claim 6 further comprising at least three radially inwardly extending ribs that progressively extend an increasing distance into the interior of the annular body.
 10. The seal for sealing against a bathtub tailpipe of claim 6 wherein: the radially outwardly extending flange is sandwiched between a portion of the first part of the connector and a radially inwardly extending flange of the second part of the connector.
 11. A seal for a connector for connecting a bathtub tailpipe to a drain pipe, the connector including a tailpipe having an upper end configured to be connected to a bottom portion of the bathtub and a lower end of the tailpipe being configured to be placed through at least a portion of a connector, with the seal serving to seal fluid flow from the tailpipe to the drain pipe the tailpipe; the seal comprising: an elastomeric annular body having an interior passage extending from a top end to a bottom end; the bottom end having a radially outwardly extending flange configured to be sandwiched between two parts of the connector; and the interior of the annular body has at least two radially inwardly projecting rib configured to sealingly engage the tailpipe in an adjustable manner.
 12. The seal for sealing against a bathtub tailpipe of claim 11 wherein the at least two radially inwardly projecting ribs extend radially inwardly by different distances.
 13. The seal for sealing against a bathtub tailpipe of claim 11 wherein the at least two radially inwardly projecting ribs comprising an upper radially inwardly extending rib and a lower radially inwardly extending rib, said upper rib defining a larger opening in the annular body than the lower rib.
 14. The seal for sealing against a bathtub tailpipe of claim 11 wherein: the at least two radially inwardly projecting ribs comprising at least three radially inwardly extending ribs that progressively extend an increasing distance into the interior of the annular body.
 15. The seal for sealing against a bathtub tailpipe of claim 11 wherein: the flange is configured to be sandwiched between a portion of the first part of the connector and a radially inwardly extending flange of the second part of the connector. 